United Nations responds to latest earthquake in Afghanistan

Office of the UN Resident / Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD - In response to calls from authorities and the affected communities, UN agencies are currently contributing essential medical and shelter materials at the scene of Thursday's earthquake in the snowy Afghan mountains south of Kabul.

Working in collaboration with the Afghan Office of Disaster Preparedness, the International Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross societies and non-governmental organizations, UN staff have visited the site and agreed on a joint response to assist the affected villages. Efforts continue to assess overall damage, at the same time that international organizations in Kabul are meeting the emergency needs, which so far have involved dealing with injuries and exposure to the cold.

The earthquake, which registered 5.5 on the Richter scale, struck an area in Wardak and Logar provinces, some 60 kms south of Kabul on Thursday evening. According to ICRC/IFRC assessments, some 35 people have been killed in 25 villages and hundreds injured. International agencies estimate that about 2,300 homes have been destroyed in the villages surveyed to date.

Casualties are thought to have been limited due to the fact that a smaller tremor preceded the main quake, alerting people to leave their houses.

The World Health Organization on Saturday sent emergency medical supplies to the affected area. Currently, the UN is moving additional tarpaulins and plastic sheeting from Kabul to provide emergency shelter for the affected villages. Safe drinking water is also expected to be needed soon. While food aid is not considered a priority at this moment, the World Food Programme has made available several hundred tons of food which are to be trucked to the area when needed.

Given the extent of the damage to housing, the UN is already planning a significant reconstruction programme.

UN international staff have been out of Afghanistan since August: however UN humanitarian projects have continued throughout the country, managed by national staff. Following last week's technical observation mission to Kabul, the UN had planned to undertake further security assessments in the country as soon as possible to pave the way for the return of international humanitarian workers. In the meantime, the UN is bolstering its national staff in Kabul in response to the earthquake.

For further information, call Susan Manuel, acting UN spokeswoman, at 92 351 450-1751 or 92 51 827-150 ext. 2433.

Temporary address: UNDP/UNOCHA, H.292, Street 55, F-10/4, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel: 92 51 211451, Fax: 92 51 211450